During the usage process, we merely ensure the normal and stable operation of the diesel generator set without giving more consideration to how to improve its working performance through some data changes. In fact, the power factor of the diesel generator set plays a crucial role in the entire power system. In the operation of the power grid, The power factor reflects the extent to which the apparent power output by the power supply is effectively utilized. Therefore, the larger the power factor, the better. In this way, the reactive power in the circuit can be reduced to a minimum, and most of the apparent power will be used to supply active power, thereby increasing the power of electrical energy transmission. So for friends who are currently using diesel generator sets, how can they improve the power factor of the generator sets?
At present, improvements are mainly made in two aspects: one is to enhance the natural factor, and the other is the artificial compensation method.
I. Methods for Improving Natural Factors:
1). Select the motor capacity appropriately to reduce reactive power consumption of the motor and prevent the situation of “a big horse pulling a small cart”.
2). For light-load motors with an average load less than about 40% of their rated capacity, the coil connection can be changed to a delta configuration (or automatically converted).
3). Avoid running the motor or equipment without load.
4). Configure the transformer reasonably and select its capacity appropriately.
5). Balance the electricity load and increase the electricity load rate.
6). Improve the layout of power distribution lines to avoid twists and turns, etc.
Ii. Manual Compensation Method:
In practice, circuit capacitors or synchronous condensers can be used. Generally, power capacitors are mostly adopted to compensate for reactive power, that is, capacitors are connected in parallel with inductive loads. The following is the theoretical explanation:
The method of parallelling capacitors on inductive loads can use the reactive power of the capacitors to compensate for the reactive power of the inductive loads, thereby reducing or even eliminating the original energy exchange between the inductive loads and the power supply.
In an alternating current circuit, in a pure resistance circuit, the current in the load is in phase with the voltage. In a pure inductive load, the current lags behind the voltage by 90 °, while in a pure capacitor, the current leads the voltage by 90 °. The current in the capacitor differs from that in the inductor by 180 ° and can cancel each other out.
Most of the loads in the power system are inductive, so the total current will lag behind the voltage by an Angle. If a parallel capacitor is connected to the load in parallel, the current of the capacitor will offset part of the inductive current, thereby reducing the total current and improving the power factor.
Improving the power factor of diesel generator sets is not something that can be achieved overnight. Different methods should be adopted based on the actual situation to enhance the power factor of the generator sets.
For more questions about the generator set, please call the Beidou Power team. More than ten years of professional production and sales of power generation equipment experience, more professional engineer team to serve you, choose Beidou power is to choose rest assured, welcome on-site factory inspection.
Post time: Aug-13-2025